The Rockets have been determined to protect their flexibility for next summerís free agency period. They could use their available cap space to take a player short-term from a team that needs to move salary and would offer a draft pick in the deal. But with the Rockets already at the 15-player limit, that would require creating a roster spot.

The Rockets remain high on Donatas Motiejunas and there is no market for Royce White, potentially making either Cole Aldrich or Terrence Jones as players that get sporadic or no playing time with a relatively greater chance to be moved. That could change, however, depending on the position a player that could potentially be added for the stretch run. Last season, the Rockets added Marcus Camby, allowing them to trade Jordan Hill for a first-round pick that was since used as part of the trade for James Harden.